Name: El Roi
Price: 19.31 USD
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Stevenson’s melodies are simple and lyrical. He lets the music breathe. He has a knack for writing energising vamps and left-hand grooves that bring playful switches in intensity. His solos... — Jazzwise, April 2025, 4 out of 5 stars More…

Release Date: 28th Mar 2025
Catalogue No: EDNLP1255
Label: Edition Records

Side 1

1. Unspeakable Happiness

2. A Region In My Mind

3. Arise

4. My Unbelief

Side 2

1. Purpose

2. Wisdom

3. I Believe

4. El Roi

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About

Sultan Stevenson, a rising talent in the UK and European jazz scenes, is set to release his evocative new album, El Roi, on 28th March. This new album marks Stevenson’s continued exploration of profound themes, blending rich jazz traditions with personal storytelling to navigate the intricate landscapes of faith and identity.

El Roi, Hebrew for the biblical God of Sight, serves as a thematic bridge between faith and perception. “The title binds together these two themes well. ‘God’ refers to faith and ‘sight’ refers to how one is seen and how you perceive the world around you,” Stevenson explains. This album builds upon the foundation laid by his debut, Faithful One, where he delved into faith-based experiences like prayer and gratitude.

Stevenson’s compositions are deeply influenced by jazz legends such as McCoy Tyner, Herbie Hancock, Kenny Kirkland, and Geri Allen. Drawing from their legacy, he crafts a modern sound that remains accessible yet deeply nuanced. “El Roi is about trying to further the themes in my music that have caught my attention artistically and to explore them more clearly and concisely,” Stevenson shares. “It’s a dedication to my heroes and an exploration of the religious and philosophical.”

The album features a blend of intimate trio performances and dynamic collaborations with guest artists Josh Short on trumpet and flugelhorn, and Soweto Kinch on tenor saxophone. These collaborations enrich the album’s texture, adding layers of complexity and emotional depth. “I prioritize dramatic interplay within the trio over overly complex musical ideas,” Stevenson states. “My music is about creating an evolving and relevant sound that connects deeply with audiences.”

With El Roi, Sultan Stevenson continues to solidify his reputation as a thoughtful and innovative voice in contemporary jazz.

Reviews

April 2025

Stevenson’s melodies are simple and lyrical. He lets the music breathe. He has a knack for writing energising vamps and left-hand grooves that bring playful switches in intensity. His solos are thoughtful; he never over-plays. There’s a beautiful sense of understatement about the whole record and a feeling of peace – the kind (perhaps) that comes with faith and self-knowledge.

New. El Roi

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